Happy Half-Term!

As we reach the end of the first half term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. It has been a busy and productive start to the academic year, and I am incredibly proud of how our students have settled into their routines, embraced new challenges, and contributed positively to our school community. 

After half term, we will be checking uniform, appearance and mobile devices. The focus of these increased checks will initially be on health and safety concerns regarding jewellery, hoodies or (Non-school logo) branded jumpers, and mobile devices. Following this, we will be checking on all aspects of school uniform. 

Please ensure your child comes to school in full uniform in line with our appearance expectations, and has their mobile device switched off and, in their bag, as detailed in our school policies.  

  • Jewellery – some items of jewellery are prohibited. These includes rings, bracelets, and necklaces.  The exceptions to this rule are a wristwatch and one pair of small, round stud earrings. No hooped earrings, tunnels, bars or spiked gauges. No visible facial jewellery, such as nose, lip, tongue or eyebrow piercings, is permitted. Any student with a nose piercing is permitted to wear a small clear stud. 
  • No pull over/zipped hoodies or tracksuit tops. 
  • Mobile phones need to be kept switched off in pupils’ bags as we have a “see it, hear it, take it” policy.  

Welsh Government guidance explains that Headteachers can discipline pupils for breaches of the school’s uniform. Where pupils do not comply with our school uniform, we will utilise our ‘Pencoed Pre-Loved’ uniform stock to support them where necessary. Failure to meet our standards will result in parents being contacted. Pupils who continue to refuse to meet our standards will be educated in alternative locations in school. The Welsh Government School Uniform and Appearance guidance states: 

4.12 Headteachers may ask pupils to go home to change their clothes 

We ask that parents/carers ensure their child’s uniform complies with our expectations in order that we avoid having to take potential disciplinary measures or sending your child home to change. As outlined in our Parent Conduct Policy, we expect parents/carers to work with us for the benefit of our pupils and are thankful for your support of our school.  

Thank you for your continued support. We wish you and your family a pleasant half term. 

European Day of Languages 2025

We’ve had a fabulous time celebrating European Day of Languages! As always, our International Languages department got the whole school involved, for two days of celebration!

Last week, learners worked hard creating beautiful artwork, decorating the covers of thier workbooks with all things Spanish! Congratulations to Lillie, Emily, Amelia, and Lilli for taking first to fourth place!

Festivities continued on Friday, with staff across the school dressing up to represent different countries within Europe.

At lunch time, learners got in on the act. The photobooth, complete with European langauge themed props was a hit with all year groups!

Finally, Monday saw the annual ‘European Bake-Off’ take place, in what is fast becoming one of the most hotly contested competitions of the year! Year 7 learners baked an array of treats, from biscuits to cakes, suitably decorated to celebrate different languages and cultures. Entries were incredibly impressive; from Italian volcanos, to sushi made from cake! Thankfully, we had an independent adjudicator to judge: Ozzy from Sandwich Co.!

Appearances weren’t everything though, as Mrs Davies’s packed classroom shows! The cakes went on sale during break time, and there was so much demand, Mrs Davies had to open shop again at lunch! Da iawn to Lucy, Anayah, Chloe, Meredith and Sophie, who won Ozzy’s vote for first to fifth place, and Evelyn for being the crowd’s favourite with her Encanto cake, and Zane for the ‘most delicious’!